Sitting on the East Coast, Whakatane often boasts the highest number of sunshine hours of any other location in New Zealand, and combined with its golden sand beaches (around 56km of them!), it's a haven for beachgoers and surfers. It also claims to have one of the oldest Pa Sites (Maori fortification) in the country, making this area a significant landmark in New Zealand's history.
Activities in the region range from deep sea fishing, kayaking, dolphin and whale viewing, and mountain biking, plus within the town are some great museums. Art also features local creative trails available for visitors to follow.